Hey guys,So I was just on a protestant article claiming that Apostolic succesion was somehow invented in 663 CE. While the word "Apostolic succession" may not have been used until that time, I think that logically it is the only explanation for Church organization. We know from the Didache that Bishops did exist at the very latest 150 CE. Many of the Church Fathers quoted it and many of them even included it in their list of New Testament books. So now the question is "were these Bishops self-ordained, ordained by lesser priests/presbyters, or were they sent by the Twelve Apostles to keep the Church organized?" Now, in order to answer this question we need to look at an interesting thing Jesus Christ Himself said. No it is not a wierd interpretation on "rock" or "binding and loosing." It is Matthew 28:19. Jesus said "go and teach the nations." Now logically, do you think they would, knowing most of them would be executed for their beliefs, not come up with some system of succession/organization in order to make sure that they would be connected with other churches. Of course they disagreed on ALOT of things but they remained one Church. And the reason that they did this is because of Bishops who must have come from Apostolic succession. I realize that I am just a man and I may be misinterpreting this or taking it out of context. But I think it is worth looking into even if you reject the Orthodox faith

Books of Timothy and Titus. St Paul directly appointed them to their leadership. As for "bishops" they are mentioned several times in the New Testaments, most Protestant just prefer English versions that translates it as "overseer".

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"Funny," said Lancelot, "how the people who can't pray say that prayers are not answered, however much the people who can pray say they are." TH White